Builds 1985 BJ70 Story and Modifications

[crushers]

i have to admit i like the tan better ...
looking like a Saudi truck!!

 

[SurfPonto]

I agree with Wayne. Awesome color. Will look great cruising around Moab

 

[AlbertoSD]

i have to admit i like the tan better ...
looking like a Saudi truck!!

Thanks, Wayne!

 

[AlbertoSD]

I agree with Wayne. Awesome color. Will look great cruising around Moab

Thanks, Bob!

 

[AlbertoSD]

I decided to go along with the "up-dated" theme on the truck and purchased the newer (2002-2007) front grill assembly. I wanted to give the truck a new look and I bought most of the lights to refresh the 70 (side markers, and front marker/turn signal combo).

Also, I decided to leave the Land Cruiser emblem on the passenger door (RH) as it came when I purchased them from Wayne. I feel that the emblem on the door complements the Genuine snorkel very well. I asked Jeff to remove the emblem from the drivers (LH) door and keep it in the fender as it comes from factory.

 

[AlbertoSD]

Obi gained some interest when he saw the upgraded front end on the truck and decided that he wanted to follow along once more.

When you try to install the newer marker/turn signal assembly into an older truck you will find that the connectors are somewhat different. The cool thing is that the wires going into the connectors are color coded identically. Easy job for sure.

 

[AlbertoSD]

Some more photos with the front end assembled

 

[AlbertoSD]

I bought an ARB front bumper from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters and I bought a new Warn 8274-50 for the BJ70. Some photos of the items

 

[AlbertoSD]

To mount the standard roller fairlead on the ARB bumper you need to re-drill the center hole. You will need to remove the side rollers and re-drill the holes about 25 mm lower. All this is explained in the bumper instructions.

 

[AlbertoSD]

Andy (A ROGUE) helping me to mount the ARB bumper/8274-50 winch combo on the truck. It is a heavy bumper with the winch...it is nice to have an engine hoist for this

 

[AlbertoSD]

I wasn't sure what rear bumper i wanted for the BJ70. I have seen a few aftermarket options here in the U.S. and Canada but I wasn't sold on any of them.

I talked to Omar (omarluis) and Fernando (ferportu) and see if they could go to INTI (a Venezuelan shop that builds custom bumpers) and have one made for me. INTI needed a "model truck" to fabricate one for us. Omar (omarluis) brought his FZJ71 to INTI and the work started on the rear bumper. The bumper was set to be similar to the Kaymar bumper for the 70 series. I will be adding a Pintle hook on the center of the bumper as a main recovery point.

Thanks, Omar and Fernando for helping me with this. Kudos to you guys!!!

 

[AlbertoSD]

Rear bumper mounted on the truck.

The towels were used to protect the quarter panels. I removed them once the bumper install was completed

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Excellent thread Alberto. I really like your new color choice and front grille/light combination. Indeed, all of your modifications are tasteful improvements, IMO, with one exception. Black wheels just don't do it for me. Keep up the great work and timely posts. Hopefully we'll see some shots from your trip to Moab in the future.

 

[AlbertoSD]

New wheels are in the books for the truck.

Those wheels in the photos (so far) are the old Bronze Brown that came with the truck when I bought it.

Thanks for the props!!!!

-Alberto

Excellent thread Alberto. I really like your new color choice and front grille/light combination. Indeed, all of your modifications are tasteful improvements, IMO, with one exception. Black wheels just don't do it for me. Keep up the great work and timely posts. Hopefully we'll see some shots from your trip to Moab in the future.

 

[buschmaster86]

porn is not allawd here

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Hi Alberto,
this is absolutely fantastic, congratulations! I loved that truck and have many fond memories about it-we took this all over Baja. I also (unfortunatly) have to take credit for the hokey rear tire carrier mounting and the 33 BFGs on it. This was essentially my beginner's truck, and I had no clue what I was doing for the most part.
Great what you are doing with it!
cheers,
jan

 

[AlbertoSD]

Hi Alberto,
this is absolutely fantastic, congratulations! I loved that truck and have many fond memories about it-we took this all over Baja. I also (unfortunatly) have to take credit for the hokey rear tire carrier mounting and the 33 BFGs on it. This was essentially my beginner's truck, and I had no clue what I was doing for the most part.
Great what you are doing with it!
cheers,
jan

Hi Jan!!!

I am glad you are posting here too!

LOL....No worries about the tire carrier. That has been one of the easiest fixes in the truck

I am glad you are happy with the changes of the truck. I am truly grateful to you and Bob for taking such good care of the 70. It gave me a good platform to start the project.

to you guys!

-Alberto

 

[buschmaster86]

What about a toyota star on the bonnet at the factory place ?

 

[AlbertoSD]

I also bought a set of rock sliders and a gearbox/transfercase skid plate from Jason (Cruisin') at Cruisin Off Road - Armour for Land Cruisers

Jason (Cruisin') builds quality items...honestly, can't say enough good things about his products.

 

[AlbertoSD]

I took the truck out to the street to see the progress thus far. I can say that I am really happy with the way things are turning out.

Also, I want to thank (once more) everybody that has, directly and indirectly, helped getting the BJ70 done.

All the winch wires, CB antenna wire, and ARB bumper markers still need to be routed...I just wanted to see it partially assembled on the street.